110,000 holiday bookings at risk as low cost travel firm goes bust

By Alex Evans

A cut-price travel firm has gone into administration - putting more than 100,000 holiday bookings with the firm at risk.

The Lowcosttravelgroup has announced it has ceased trading, meaning holidaymakers across the country could face difficulties going on their holidays.

The firm said attempts to rescue its future had been ‘hampered by the recent and ongoing turbulent financial environment’, suggesting the company has become the first casualty of the UK’s Brexit market slump.

This statement was released on its website: “We deeply regret to announce that the lowcosttravelgroup (“LCTG”) ceased to trade on 15 July 2016, following exhaustive attempts by the group’s directors to rescue the group, which has been hampered by the recent and ongoing turbulent financial environment.

“This notice applies to the following companies and brands:

1.Lowcosttravelgroup Ltd

2.lowcostholidays Spain S.L.

3.Hoteling.com part of Lowcostholidays Spain S.L.

4.Lowcostbeds.com A.G.”

The firm’s website suggests that some tickets will still be valid, but some hotel suppliers, transfer suppliers and car parking suppliers ‘may ask you to pay them locally’ which holidaymakers are being asked to ‘pay and reclaim against’.

It also says ‘It would be advisable for you to keep all receipts of expenses incurred in order to claim a refund or compensation.’

Those who have booked a hotel will have their reservations cancelled and must re-book.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A HOLIDAY BOOKED WITH THE FIRM:

Customers who have booked a Holiday combination (Flight plus Hotel)

If you are already on holiday you will be in possession of your flight tickets which remain valid.

You may be asked by the hotel suppliers, transfer suppliers and car parking suppliers (if you have booked these services) to pay them locally which you may have to pay & reclaim against

I.Your Travel Insurance provider (if you have travel Insurance)

II.Govern de les illes Balears (www.caib.es) who is the regulator of the Spanish Travel Agency.

III.Your credit card provider for services not received.

It would be advisable for you to keep all receipts of expenses incurred in order to claim a refund or compensation.

You should also register your claim at lowcosttravelspain@smith.williamson.co.uk

Customers who have booked Hotel Accommodation only

You may be asked by the hotel suppliers, transfer suppliers and car parking suppliers (if you have booked these services) to pay them locally which you may have to pay & reclaim against

I.Your Travel Insurance provider (if you have travel Insurance)

II.Your credit card provider for services not received.

It would be advisable for you to keep all receipts of expenses incurred in order to claim a refund or compensation.

You should also register your claim at lowcosttravelspain@smith.williamson.co.uk

Customers Due to Travel

Customers who have booked a Holiday combination (Flight plus Hotel)

If you have booked a combination flights and accommodation (+ other services, e.g. transfer, car-hire, etc) your contract for the flights will be direct with the airline and payment will have been made to them in most cases at time of booking. If you are in receipt of your flight ticket from the airline you will be able to check-in and travel as normal. If you have not received your flight confirmation details, you should contact the airline directly to determine the status of your flight reservation. If the airline informs you that your reservation is not confirmed then you will need to rebook your flights with another provider and make a claim using the options outlined below:

Your hotel reservation will not be valid so you will have to re-book your hotel accommodation and any other services that you may have reserved via Lowcostholidays.com (e.g. transfer, car-hire, airport parking etc) with another company. You can reclaim lost amounts against:

I. Your Travel Insurance provider (if you have travel Insurance)

II.Govern de les illes Balears (www.caib.es) who is the regulator of the Spanish Travel Agency.

III.Your credit card provider for services not received.

It would be advisable for you to keep all receipts of expenses incurred in order to claim a refund or compensation.

You should also register your claim at lowcosttravelspain@smith.williamson.co.uk

Customers who have booked a Holiday combination (Hotel Only)

Your reservation will be cancelled by the hotel supplier and you will need to rebook your accommodation.

You can submit your claim for the amounts paid to Lowcostholidays.com using any of the following options

I.Your Travel Insurance provider (if you have travel Insurance)

II.Your credit card provider for services not received.

It would be advisable for you to keep all receipts of expenses incurred in order to claim a refund or compensation.

You should also register your claim at lowcosttravelspain@smith.williamson.co.uk

Hoteling.com Customers

You may be asked by the hotel suppliers, transfer suppliers and car parking suppliers (if you have booked these services) to pay them locally which you may have to pay & reclaim against

I.Your Travel Insurance provider (if you have travel Insurance)

II.Your credit card provider for services not received.

It would be advisable for you to keep all receipts of expenses incurred in order to claim a refund or compensation.

You should also register your claim at lowcosttravelspain@smith.williamson.co.uk